ADEN, Yemen - The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has vowed strong retaliation against the United States and Britain for airstrikes carried out earlier on Friday in areas under their control.

According to a statement from Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, the American and British forces launched a "brutal aggression", with 73 raids targeting the Yemeni capital Sanaa as well as the provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Hajjah and Saada.

The spokesman said the raids have resulted in the deaths of five people, with at least six being injured.

He strongly condemned the strikes and said the Houthis "will not hesitate to target all sources of threat".

He also warned that the "American-British aggression will not go unanswered and unpunished".

The spokesman reiterated the Houthis' stance in support of the Palestinian cause, saying the raids "will not deter us from our position in support of the oppression of the Palestinian people".

Additionally, the Houthi representative confirmed the rebel group will continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Arabian and Red Seas.